Lanzarote looks to the waves and wind for clean energy sources

Lanzarote Cabildo, through its energy department, is studying the possibility of obtaining energy from the waves of the sea.

The project would be through mWaveTM technology, which exploits the potential of ocean waves, abundant in the northern area of Lanzarote, and a technology that respects the environment.

This technology, which operates below the surface of the water and at a sufficient depth so that it does not affect marine traffic or any other nautical activity, transfers the energy generated to the coast through an underwater cable.

Energy councillor, Ángel Vázquez said: “This ambitious project to generate electricity through the use of a novel technology that obtains the energy of the marine waves is one of the main lines of action that the Cabildo is carrying out following the agreement signed a year ago with the company specialised in the energy sector, Enzen.”

Currently, the company Bombora Wave Power, of Australian origin and belonging to the Enzen group, is installing different wave generation prototypes around the world, including the installation that is being executed in Wales.

“The intention is to install in Lanzarote a second phase of this project, which would mean an optimisation to the design of the Wales prototype. This fact would put Lanzarote in a position of advantage in the field of research and development in this type of project,” said Ángel Vázquez.

During this year of work, progress has been made in the aspects related to the request for connection to the network, feasibility studies of the project and the evaluation of the energy resource, as well as environmental impact studies, among others. Likewise, work is also being done on the development of a project for Marine Wind Energy that includes the installation of a floating offshore wind turbine, one of the most promising sources of clean energy in the coming decades in Lanzarote.

“From the Cabildo, we continue working on the integration of renewable energies on the island, exploring all possible routes, which also allows us to generate more knowledge and employment,” said Ángel Vázquez.